Ambani flies to Qatar to meet Trump, second meeting since inauguration
Richest Asian Mukesh Ambani is flying to Doha to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, his second meeting since Mr. Trump returned to presidency in January this year.
Mr. Ambani will attend a state dinner that the Emir of Qatar is hosting for Mr. Trump at the Lusail Palace in Doha on Wednesday (May 14, 2025), sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.
Reliance Industries Ltd., the firm that Mr. Ambani heads, did not reply to an email sent for comments.
While business discussions are off the table, his oil-to-retail conglomerate has businesses closely tied to decisions of the U.S. President.
Reliance had last year secured waivers from the U.S. to resume importing crude oil from Venezuela. It however had to stop that in March following Mr. Trump authorising a 25% tariff on countries buying the South American country's oil.
Reliance also sells fuels like gasoline made from crude oil bought from countries such as Russia into the American market.
Also, U.S. tech giants such as Google and Meta have taken an equity stake in Mr. Ambani's digital venture.
Reliance has business ties with Qatar as well. The Gulf nation's sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has invested about $1 billion in Mr. Ambani's retail venture.
Mr. Ambani and his wife Nita had attended Mr. Trump's second inauguration in January. They were also part of the select 100 who attended an intimate candlelit dinner with Mr. Trump a day prior to the inauguration.
'At the dinner, the two had met Vice-President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha as well,' sources said.
The Ambanis share close ties with the Trump family.
The richest Indian was present when Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, visited Hyderabad for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2017. She was an advisor to President Trump then.
He was also present when Mr. Trump visited India last as the U.S. President in February 2020.
Ms. Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and their eldest daughter Arabella Rose were among the celebrities who attended the star-studded three-day pre-wedding celebrations of Mr. Ambani's youngest son Anant and fiancée Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in March 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
11 minutes ago
- News18
Flavor First: How India's Bold New Palate Is Shaping the Next Generation of Food Brands
India's new generation of food lovers is driving a bold, global shift in flavor, health, and innovation across the culinary landscape. From fiery peri-peri sauces to cloud-soft tiramisu, India's evolving culinary appetite is reshaping the contours of food entrepreneurship. A younger, more globally exposed generation of consumers is not only demanding more from what's on their plate but also from the brands that bring those experiences to life. Driven by a preference for bold flavors, health-forward ingredients, and global influences, Indian food brands are undergoing a transformation like never before. And at the heart of this evolution lies one defining principle: Flavor First. 'India's food scene is going through a revolutionary transformation," says Griffith David, Founder & CEO, Habanero Foods. 'Traditionally renowned for its complex, rich, and spicy flavors, today's next generation of Indian consumers is embracing even bolder, more varied tastes." Nowhere is this more visible than in the rise of contemporary condiments—flavor-forward dips, sauces, and chutneys that marry classic Indian spices with global twists. Tamarind chutneys with a smoky edge, garlicky aiolis tinged with desi masala, and peri-peri sauces that have made their way from Portuguese grills to Indian lunch tables—these products are emblematic of the modern Indian pantry. advetisement Importantly, these products aren't just about taste. 'With convenience at the forefront of today's hectic lifestyles, Indian dips and sauces are evolving to include low-fat, preservative-free, and plant-based versions," adds David. 'Consumers seek not only taste but also alternatives that suit their increasingly health-conscious lifestyles." Sweet Innovation: Desserts Get a Global Makeover 'In India, desserts have moved far beyond being just the sweet end to a meal; they've become a canvas for creativity, expression, and global discovery," shares Himanshu Chawla, co-founder, Bakingo. Desserts like Tres Leches, Tiramisu, and Basque Cheesecake are no longer niche in the Indian market, they're front-runners, even in Tier 2 cities. 'The rise of indulgent yet aesthetic formats like Dream Cakes reflects how Indian consumers are engaging with desserts more deeply they are seeking experiences that delight the senses and spark excitement," notes Chawla. For Bakingo, innovation and reliability go hand-in-hand. 'It's not just about following trends; it's about adapting to what excites Indian dessert lovers: layered textures, lighter bakes, international appeal, and always, uncompromised quality," he explains. According to Chawla, future-ready food brands must balance authenticity with invention, delivering global sophistication with local soul. Coffee Shops as Culture Hubs: The Barista Evolution India's cafés are no longer just about grabbing a cappuccino, they are becoming dynamic cultural spaces that blend wellness, indulgence, and community. Rajat Agarwal, CEO, Barista Coffee, believes today's café experience is about much more than caffeine. 'One of the clearest shifts we've seen? People want to enjoy their coffee and also take care of their health," says Agarwal. This consumer insight led to the launch of Barista's Zero Sugar Coffee range—offering all the flavor of their premium blends, without added sugar. But the evolution doesn't stop there. 'On the other end, there's playfulness," Agarwal adds, referencing Bubble Delight, Barista's take on the Boba beverage trend. 'It's fun, interactive, and surprisingly comforting. Our younger guests especially love it." Barista has also teamed up with Twiddles, cricket legend Yuvraj Singh's clean snacking brand, offering functional snacks like protein bars and power bytes alongside their beverages. 'The modern Indian café is no longer just a caffeine pit stop—it's a social space that brings together wellness, flavor, fun, and culture," says Agarwal. 'In this bold new India, coffee is just the beginning." Advertisement The Culinary Future: Health, Global Trends & Conscious Consumption According to Chef Dheeraj Mathur, Cluster Executive Chef at Radisson Blu, Kaushambi, the transformation of India's culinary landscape is as much about experience as it is about flavor. 'With rising disposable incomes, increased health awareness, and exposure to international cuisines, today's Indian consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z are driving demand for premium, high-quality, and artisanal food products," says Mathur. This new consciousness extends to every aspect of food creation—from fermentation and sous-vide cooking to transparent sourcing, sustainability, and digital engagement. 'Health-forward trends like superfoods, cold-pressed oils, and vegan alternatives are now central to many menus," notes Mathur. 'Storytelling, flavor innovation, and ethical practices are no longer optional—they're essential to success." A Flavorful Future Led by Young Palates India's next generation of food consumers is bold, curious, and uncompromising. They are seeking out flavors that are adventurous yet authentic, and food experiences that resonate with both their taste buds and their values. advetisement top videos View All From sauce jars in kitchen cupboards to intricately crafted cakes, and from café counters to five-star menus, food brands across India are rapidly adapting to meet these expectations. The common thread? A relentless pursuit of flavor, supported by innovation, health consciousness, and storytelling. As these voices from the industry make clear, the future of Indian food is not only global and health-conscious, it's thrillingly flavorful. And this time, flavor isn't just an ingredient. It's the identity. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 10, 2025, 12:40 IST News lifestyle » food Flavor First: How India's Bold New Palate Is Shaping the Next Generation of Food Brands
India Today
14 minutes ago
- India Today
Rupee stuck in neutral as Asia's currencies race ahead on weak dollar
As most Asian currencies ride the wave of a weakening US dollar, the Indian rupee could miss the rally, reported news agency Reuters, quoting analysts, who said the currency could be held back by a structural imbalance in India's external the Singapore dollar, Korean won, and Taiwanese dollar have jumped between 6% and 9.5% so far this year, the rupee has barely at Barclays, Jefferies, and ANZ attribute this underperformance to one key metric—the Net International Investment Position (NIIP)—the difference between a country's overseas assets and its external liabilities. As of December 2024, India's NIIP stood at a negative $350 billion, meaning the country owes significantly more to the world than it owns in foreign assets. In contrast, several other Asian economies enjoy positive NIIP balances, often as a result of years of trade surpluses and global Kotecha, head of FX and EM macro strategy for Asia at Barclays, told Reuters that a lack of positive NIIP "leaves the rupee trailing its regional peers".Countries like Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong hold net international surpluses, enabling their currencies to rise when the dollar weakens. That's because investors tend to repatriate capital or hedge against falling dollar-denominated assets—moves that boost local and Indonesia, however, are among the region's least liquid in terms of net international assets, Barclays Bechtel, head of global FX at Jefferies, told the news agency that this doesn't spell doom for the rupee, but it does explain why it may lag. 'It's not like a very negative story. It's just more of a lagging story,' he the US dollar continues to soften—driven partly by global hedging activity, as noted in the Federal Reserve's May meeting minutes—Asia's external surpluses are coming into sharper focus. That's putting the spotlight on structural disparities in foreign asset holdings, especially for India.'Overseas capital repatriation and increased FX hedging could keep lifting Asian currencies,' analysts at Fitch unit BMI wrote in a recent note, pointing to the sharp appreciation in the Taiwanese dollar as a case in India can narrow its external liabilities or boost foreign asset accumulation, the rupee may continue to sit out the region's currency Watch
News18
20 minutes ago
- News18
US Resumes Harvard Student Visas After Judge Blocks Trump Ban
Last Updated: The Trump administration had justified the student visa ban on national security grounds, but Harvard countered that it was being targeted for resisting White House. The US State Department has directed all American embassies and consular sections worldwide to resume processing student and exchange visitor visas for Harvard University, following a federal judge's decision to temporarily block President Donald Trump's ban on foreign students at the Ivy League institution. In a diplomatic cable dated June 6 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department said the revised instructions were issued 'in accordance with" the temporary restraining order granted by US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston. The judge blocked the Trump administration's proclamation from taking effect while further legal proceedings continue. The Trump administration had justified the student visa ban on national security grounds, but Harvard countered that it was being targeted in retaliation for resisting White House efforts to exert control over the university's governance, curriculum, and campus ideology. The diplomatic cable also noted that other visa requirements remain unchanged, including enhanced social media vetting and review of applicants' online presence. The State Department declined to comment on the internal communication when approached. This legal battle is part of a broader standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard, which has also seen funding freezes and proposals to revoke the university's tax-exempt status, escalating tensions between the federal government and one of the country's most prestigious academic institutions.
